Update to my check engine light w/VSC

[mlc2000]

Update on my thread here

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/238424-check-engine-light-vsc-just-came.html

So after 1 month, it came back on. I went to Autozone and their scanner showed 2 codes both P0300 - Multiple Cynlinder misfire.

I replaced all 6 plugs yesterday and 24 hours later and a few starts later, my check engine light w/VSC lights came back on. Had them read it again and it showed 2 P0300 - multiple cylinder misfire codes.

I told them I reset the check engine light by disconnecting both terminals on the battery for 5 minutes and then putting them back on. The guy there said it still has to do through a few cycles to reset itself. Unsure if that is true or not. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

 

[skott]

3 Rules to Live By:

1. Always accept food/drink from an elder when offered
2. Never kiss your girlfriend's sister (or mom)
3. Never take car advice from the counter guy at the local Dollar Auto Parts Store

Time to reset? Nope. Sure, it'll have to re-run it's readiness checks (cat, evap, etc...) but disconnecting the battery for several minutes works to reset the CEL.

I know we all love to throw plugs, wires, coils, etc. at misfire codes because it's easy and fun, but beware buying parts based just on what a scan tool and a parts guy tells you. It's a slippery slope. Spend some time testing to figure out what's really wrong instead of just throwing parts at it and you'll save yourself money and frustration.

 

[mlc2000]

3 Rules to Live By:

1. Always accept food/drink from an elder when offered
2. Never kiss your girlfriend's sister (or mom)
3. Never take car advice from the counter guy at the local Dollar Auto Parts Store

Time to reset? Nope. Sure, it'll have to re-run it's readiness checks (cat, evap, etc...) but disconnecting the battery for several minutes works to reset the CEL.

I know we all love to throw plugs, wires, coils, etc. at misfire codes because it's easy and fun, but beware buying parts based just on what a scan tool and a parts guy tells you. It's a slippery slope. Spend some time testing to figure out what's really wrong instead of just throwing parts at it and you'll save yourself money and frustration.

Yeah I didn't buy that part either from what the Autozone guy said. However, with replacing all 6 plugs, I didn't feel like I lost money there at all. Haven't changed them in 100,000 miles and the gaps were 60 with cylinder #5 being 75.

I'm at 200,000 right now and the only symptoms I see are:
1. cold engine - slight rough start but it starts
2. CEL light on

Other than that, you'd never know there was any issues. It accelerates fine, very responsive including when wanting to put it into passing gear. No threat to stall out. Nada.

The coils are still the original, wonder if I should first start with those. I just wish I knew someone with a code reader for my vehicle. I don't want to spend 500 bucks at Toyota just to find out what the code is.

 

[Jefe13]

Yeah I didn't buy that part either from what the Autozone guy said. However, with replacing all 6 plugs, I didn't feel like I lost money there at all. Haven't changed them in 100,000 miles and the gaps were 60 with cylinder #5 being 75.



I'm at 200,000 right now and the only symptoms I see are:

1. cold engine - slight rough start but it starts

2. CEL light on



Other than that, you'd never know there was any issues. It accelerates fine, very responsive including when wanting to put it into passing gear. No threat to stall out. Nada.



The coils are still the original, wonder if I should first start with those. I just wish I knew someone with a code reader for my vehicle. I don't want to spend 500 bucks at Toyota just to find out what the code is.

Throwing ignition could at this will not fix your problem. If your T4R is a v6 I'm betting it burning coolant. It will leak into the cylinders on cool down and cause a rough cold start. Usually misfires for a few seconds. My advice is to find a reputable import shop (search google or yelp), make an appointment with them and let a trained professional diagnose it properly.
This does two things for you
A) your not blindingly throwing parts at it. That gets expensive.
B) almost all reputable shops use quality parts and offer a warranty on parts and labor with their work. Usually a 12/12
Just my two cents since I take it you don't have a way of knowing what the code is and check that part for failure.
If you happen to be in the San Diego area pm me


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[mlc2000]

Throwing ignition could at this will not fix your problem. If your T4R is a v6 I'm betting it burning coolant. It will leak into the cylinders on cool down and cause a rough cold start. Usually misfires for a few seconds. My advice is to find a reputable import shop (search google or yelp), make an appointment with them and let a trained professional diagnose it properly.
This does two things for you
A) your not blindingly throwing parts at it. That gets expensive.
B) almost all reputable shops use quality parts and offer a warranty on parts and labor with their work. Usually a 12/12
Just my two cents since I take it you don't have a way of knowing what the code is and check that part for failure.
If you happen to be in the San Diego area pm me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks. I'm on the other side of the country, NY.

Interesting that you mention burning coolant. I have noticed that my coolant reservoir has not been retaining coolant. I've had to fill it up every so often.

 

[Jefe13]

Thanks. I'm on the other side of the country, NY.



Interesting that you mention burning coolant. I have noticed that my coolant reservoir has not been retaining coolant. I've had to fill it up every so often.

It's very common for those 4.0L to do that. Have a shop do a block test. You may have to leave it overnight for them to accurately test it. Sometime we have to remove all of the spark plugs and let it sit over night. Then look in each cylinder to see which one has coolant in it.
Good luck[emoji482]


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